Winning major events with astonishing regularity, the women's cross country team has initiated a rich tradition. They have gone to the state tournament in each of the last six years and won the Western Reserve Conference (WRC) championship in each of the last seven.

The solidity of their performance is an aspect that they take pride in. Aside from their seemingly clockwork appearances in state meets, consistency also forms a key part of their strategy while running. Rather than separating from each other during the race, the Roosevelt women stick together in what coach Eric Hill calls a “pack philosophy.” One must only look at the team’s stellar record to know that it works.

Senior Emily White described the “pack philosophy” as having a motivational effect on the team, as well as intimidating opposing teams.

“When one girl goes faster, it motivates all of us to go faster. Also, generally people slow down when they get passed,” she said. “They start to get depressed, and it happens even more when it’s five people passing you instead of one.”

The team’s rivals include Brecksville, Jackson, Hoover, and Medina, who all closely match Roosevelt’s ability level. Feelings surrounding the meets, especially against Medina, are heated.

With their past successes, one would think that the team would feel intense pressure to make states from Roosevelt and from the Kent community at large to make states. According to Hill, this is not true.

"Any pressure the girls feel they put on themselves,” Hill said.

White disagreed. “The RHS student body expects us to make it to states. If we make it, it’s not seen as a big deal, but if we don’t make it, it would feel like we’re letting everyone down,” she said.

The team certainly does not take state competitions for granted.

“It's not a routine; it's a privilege. It's never easy,” Hill said.

However, the winning tradition at RHS does have an effect on the cross country team. Although there is pressure from the school to succeed in major events, the familiarity gained through previous experience makes some members of the Roosevelt team less nervous about big meets such as states, while others are still as anxious as they were as freshmen.

“It’s really routine, and that’s a problem. [States are] regarded as just another meet, and people don’t realize how cool it is,” senior Lauren Sloan said.

White countered, “It’s intimidating every year. I mean, you’re running with the best in the state.”

Aside from the experience and tradition, the team's positive attitude and sense of camaraderie play a part in their successes. These strengths are manifested in their "pack" strategy on the course, as it is hard for a team that does not get along to work together during competition. As for the positive attitude, it is a fairly safe bet that anyone who willingly runs long distances and trains hard every day, as the team does, is enthusiastic about her cross-country running.

“I had so much fun that I peed myself,” Sloan said.

This year, seniors White, Sloan, Hannah Baggett, and Jodi Hensel are four of the seven varsity runners. Also key to the team are sophomores Jen Gatten and Kellie Bradner. Last year’s graduates Stephanie Wade and Kate Cardwell left a hole in the team upon their departure, but the team does not feel hindered by their absences.

“Stephanie really held the team together, but we’re doing all right without her,” White said.

Up-and-coming freshmen include Taryn Vidic and Julie Whyte. Hill believes that they will be able to carry on the winning tradition as their forerunners have so well.

“I am really excited to start the post-season. Districts [were] Saturday (Oct. 11) and our “pack” did awesome,” Gatten said. The team took second place and looks forward to the regional meet.

PLAYER PROFILE: HANNAH BAGGETT

“I like to run, I guess,” said senior Hannah Baggett. This is an understatement, seeing as Baggett has been a member of the women’s cross country team for three years. After running in middle school, she chose soccer over cross-country her freshman year, only to be drawn back to the sport by peer pressure. She appreciates the stress relief that running offers her, and said “I try not to think about anything while I’m running. It helps clear my mind.”

Aside from the actual running aspect of cross-country, Baggett enjoys the closeness that the team members feel towards one another. She wishes running did not take up so much of her time, but she feels that it is worth it. Her teammates agree. Senior Jodi Hensel said, “She has worked hard and come a long way. She’s a strong aspect of our team.

Currently, she is undecided about whether she will compete in cross-country in college. However, she does feel that running will play a part in her future somehow. “I’d like to run marathons. I think it would be fun,” she said.